We work within the motto “function over fashion.” Everything we create must first and foremost be functional. While we desire for our product to be sexy and trendy, it’s not the most important aspect. Yet, many venues operate with the opposite in mind – to be trendy and fashionable first, and functional second. And that’s when profitability and revenue fall by the wayside.
Function within a venue is oftentimes overlooked because it’s an aspect that typically doesn’t interact with guests. It’s the behind-the-scenes area; the boring, nitty-gritty parts of a business. But the fact of the matter is guests can tell when a venue has dysfunctional operations, and their attendance suffers as a result.
Follow these three steps to become a functional venue and increase profitability.
1. Define bottleneck areas
Which areas of your club are causing a bottleneck? Is the line outside your door optimized or is it just plain inefficient? Are your servers all knowledgeable of your systems and processes? Speed of the night is important, so it’s important to know what’s slowing you down. Once you know exactly which areas of your club are lacking, you’re able to give them the attention they need.
2. Create systems
The best way to have functional operations is to have distinct processes and systems. Some of this may be as simple as redefining roles and communication processes. Others may be more complex, like finding a technology system to help streamline operations. Either way, it’s important to clearly define and establish a system that’s easy for everyone to follow.
3. Train staff
New systems and processes only work if everyone is on board and following them correctly. That’s why it’s important to get everyone together for a brief meeting to introduce the systems, show them how it works, and answer any questions they may have. It’s also helpful to explain why the new system is in place and how your venue as a whole will benefit from it. This gives them more reason to believe in the system and strive to make the change.
A highly functional nightclub is a more enjoyable place for everyone to be – from your staff to your guests. Couple this with industry trends and top performers, and you’ll be set for success for years to come.
Whitney Johnson is the global director of marketing at BookBottles. Contact her at whitney.johnson@bookbottles.com.
